Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship
On Friday, June 2, the governor signed new legislation changing Last-Dollar Scholarship eligibility requirements for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Students now must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) at or below 20,000 and have filed their FAFSA by July 15, 2023, to qualify.
Concerned about paying for college? Worried about taking out student loans? Paying for college just got a whole lot easier with the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship.
The Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship is intended to pay a portion or even all of your tuition that's not already covered by other federal and/or state grants and scholarships.
Students must apply for and be awarded the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
In the event that available state funds are insufficient to pay the full amount of each approved grant, the Iowa Department of Education has the authority to administratively reduce the award.
Earn a certificate, diploma, or degree in one of Iowa's high-demand careers with up to 100% of your tuition covered by the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
Pre-programs are not eligible for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship.
Additional programs may be added to this list at a later date. The eligible programs list is based on job demand and is subject to change year to year. Students in programs removed from this list who previously received Last-Dollar Scholarship funds for that program will still be eligible for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship until they complete their credentials or leave the college, as long as they continue to meet all other eligibility criteria.
The list of eligible programs is subject to change based on the Iowa Legislature.
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File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for all other available state and federal grants and scholarships. The priority deadline for 2023 – 2024 was July 15, 2023. The priority deadline for 2024 – 2025 has not been set yet, but will likely be July 1, 2024.
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Apply at Hawkeye in an eligible program.
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Attend a MORE Orientation and Registration session.
If funding is not sufficient to award all eligible students, the Iowa Department of Education will prioritize students based on returning Last Dollar Scholarship students and then by application receipt date.
To be eligible to receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship, you must meet the Eligibility Requirements.
To be eligible to receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship, you must meet the following ongoing eligibility requirements:
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Be an Iowa resident.
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Meet and register for courses with an advisor each term.
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Enroll in at least 6 credit hours each fall and spring semester until you've completed your program.
- Summer term courses: If summer awarding is approved by the Iowa Department of Education and you enroll in summer term courses, you must be enrolled in 6 credit hours.
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Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress each term.
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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The priority deadline for 2023 – 2024 was July 15, 2023. The priority deadline for 2024 – 2025 has not been set yet, but will likely be July 1, 2024.
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Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) at or below 20,000.
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Continuously receive a Last-Dollar Scholarship disbursement each fall and spring semester.
Students will be notified via their Hawkeye email that a Last-Dollar Scholarship award is available to them once eligibility is confirmed.
See Iowa Department of Education: Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship Ongoing Eligibility Requirements for the full list of ongoing requirements.
Max Last-Dollar Scholarship − Federal Pell Grant − Federal SEOG Grant − Iowa Workforce Shortage Grant (Kibbie) − Iowa Vocational — Technical Grant − Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship = Your Last-Dollar Scholarship Award Amount 2023–2024 Max Last-Dollar Scholarship = $217.50 per credit hour × the total number of credit hours per term.
Last-Dollar Scholarship recipients receive the remaining balance of what they owe for tuition and mandatory fees after other awarded federal and/or state grants and scholarships have been applied.
- If your Last-Dollar Scholarship Award Amount is positive: This is the amount of your Last-Dollar Scholarship for the term.
- If your Last-Dollar Scholarship Award Amount is negative: Your Last-Dollar Scholarship award amount for the term would be the minimum of $250 per term for full-time enrollment.
Each student's eligibility is determined specifically for their situation. It is very likely to have different awards for the same enrollment period.
The following costs are not covered by the Last-Dollar Scholarship and may lead to out-of-pocket expenses:
Can I move from high school graduate to adult learner requirements?
No, you will remain under the eligibility and ongoing requirements of the group you initially received the Last-Dollar Scholarship. For example, if you initially received the Last-Dollar Scholarship as a recent high school graduate you cannot move to the adult learner eligibility requirements and vice versa.
What happens if I completely withdraw or take a semester off?
You must be continuously enrolled (summer term not required) to maintain your eligibility for the Last-Dollar Scholarship. If you withdraw or take a semester off, you will lose all future Last-Dollar Scholarship eligibility.
If you would choose to withdraw or take a semester off, you are not required to repay any Last-Dollar Scholarship funds you have already received.
A student who completely withdraws, officially or unofficially, and whose last day of attendance was later than 60% into the part-of-term, is considered to be continuously enrolled. A student who completely withdraws, either officially or unofficially, and whose last day of attendance was earlier than 60% into the part-of-term will not be considered to be continuously enrolled.
If a student discontinues enrollment or falls below the minimum enrollment due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control (i.e. military deployment, temporary medical incapacity, declaration of national or state emergency) should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss their situation.
How long can I receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship?
You are eligible to receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship for up to six full-time semesters or eight part-time semesters. While summer enrollment is not an ongoing requirement, it does count toward your award maximum if you receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship for summer term classes.
Do transfer students qualify for the Last-Dollar Scholarship?
If you were enrolled at another college and received Last-Dollar Scholarship funds then transfer to Hawkeye and enroll in a Last-Dollar eligible program, your initial Last-Dollar Scholarship eligibility will continue as long as there has not been a break in enrollment (summer term does not count).
Transfer students must be enrolled in a Last-Dollar Scholarship eligible program and receive Last-Dollar Scholarship funds at their prior institution to be eligible to continue to receive Last-Dollar Scholarship funds at Hawkeye.
Can the Last-Dollar Scholarship be awarded for the first time for spring semester?
Yes, you can be awarded the Last-Dollar Scholarship beginning spring semester as long as you filed your FAFSA prior to the following deadlines:
- Spring 2024 start: Your FAFSA must be filed prior to July 15, 2023.
Visit Iowa Department of Education: Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for full scholarship details